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Wildwood Middle

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Wildwood Middle
Where every student is a valued, productive member of the school community

Bylaws

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization is the Wildwood Middle School Parent Teacher Organization Rockwood School District (hereinafter referred to as "WMS PTO" or

"Organization"). It is a local independent unit created by the parents and staff of Wildwood Middle School (hereinafter referred to as "School"), having no affiliation with any other association, be it state or national in origin.

ARTICLE II. ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

The Organization exists as an unincorporated association of its members. The Organization's Articles of Organization consist of these Bylaws, as amended from time to time, and it's Articles of Association, if any. In the absence of separate articles of association, the Bylaws shall be deemed to be the Articles of Association. In the event of any conflict between these Bylaws and the Articles of Association, these Bylaws shall govern.

These Bylaws shall become effective upon the signing date referenced below and shall revoke, supersede and replace any and all previously entered Bylaws for this Organization.

ARTICLE III. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

This Organization is organized exclusively for the following charitable, educational, or scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code:

  • To promote the welfare and education of children and youth eligible to attend the Rockwood School District and the Wildwood Middle School in the home, school, and community.
  • To support the school in improving education in ways that will adhere to administrative policy and the Rockwood School District's mission, goals, and beliefs.
  • To raise funds for programs and equipment to further the education of children and youth.
  • To bring about a closer relationship between the home and the school so that parents and teachers may work cooperatively in the education of children and youth.
  • To foster communication, cooperation, support, information, and education within the Rockwood School District, including District staff, parents, and the general community.

ARTICLE IV. POLICIES

Section 1

No substantial part of the activities of the Organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the Organization shall not participate in or intervene (including the publishing or distribution of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Section 2

This Organization shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan. No commercial enterprise or candidate shall be endorsed by it. The name of the Organization and names of its Executive Board Officers in their official capacities shall not be used in connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest for any other purpose than the regular work of the Organization.

Section 3

This Organization shall not seek to direct the administrative activities of the school or to control its policies, but shall serve as a liaison between parents and administration when concerns arise.

Section 4

The Organization shall be supportive of school educational efforts and student needs. The policies of the Organization shall be developed cooperatively by parents and teachers. The Organization shall conduct all operations in such a way as to reflect positively upon the school and the Rockwood School District.

Section 5

In no way shall one member, officer, or committee chairperson make policy, program, or expenditure decisions, or bind the Organization in any way, absent the consent of at the majority of the Executive Board. When representing the Organization, any member, officer, or committee chairperson shall be aware of the authority extended by the Organization and shall not exceed such authority.

Section 6

This Organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies active in child welfare, such as conference groups or coordinating councils, provided they make no commitments that bind the Organization.

Section 7

The Organization shall act in accordance with all Rockwood School District Board of Education Policies and Regulations, which are incorporated herein by reference, including but not limited to Policies 2950 and 3370 and Regulations 2950 and 3370 pertaining to fund-raising activities. No fund-raising activity of the Organization shall financially benefit a PTO member, faculty member, student or parent without prior approval of the majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section 8

No part of the net earnings of this Organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, Executive Board Officers or other private persons except that the Organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered by private person for such services. Services provided by members and Executive Board are voluntary and will not be compensated, unless specifically authorized by the Executive Board prior to completion of such services.

Section 9

Any notice required or permitted to be given to members may be given by written notice (including distribution of flyers and posting notices through the school), by telephone, by facsimile, by electronic mail, or by any combination thereof, or by any other method reasonably designed to reach the members.

Section 10

Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the Organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on: (a) by an Association exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law); or (b) by an Association, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

Section 11

Upon dissolution of the Organization, the Organization shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the Organization, dispose of all the assets of the Organization by distributing the same to the Principal of Wildwood Middle School. Said Principal shall, upon the advice of the Wildwood Middle School teachers and administration, supervise the expenditure of said assets for essential educational materials and equipment. In the event that this is not possible, said assets shall be distributed to organizations as shall at the time qualify under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Organization's Executive Board shall determine, with preference to be given to educational programs of the Rockwood School District. Any assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court in the county of the principal office of the Organization.

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1

Any parent or guardian of a student of Wildwood Middle School and any teacher or staff member interested in the objectives of the Organization and willing to uphold its policies and subscribe to its Bylaws may become a member. Membership in the Organization shall be available without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin.

Section 2

The Executive Board shall determine the amount, time, and manner of payment of the membership dues, if any, from time to time. If assessed, each member shall pay the annual membership dues; however, no household shall be assessed for more than one annual payment of membership dues, regardless of the number of children attending the School.

Section 3

The Organization shall conduct an annual enrollment of its members, but persons may be admitted to membership at any time during the year as defined above.

Section 4

The privileges of membership shall be the right to hold an office or appointed position, make motions, and chair a committee. Only those members current in payment of membership dues, if any, are eligible to serve as an officer or representative of the Organization. Non-members are welcome to attend meetings and may ask questions and participate in discussions as recognized by the President.

ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1

The Executive Board shall include the officers of the organization, the Principal of the School (or his or her designated representative) and not more than two (2) members of the faculty. The faculty representative(s) shall be selected annually in August of each school year by the Principal or by the faculty in whatever manner the faculty deems appropriate. Chairpersons of the standing committees and of then active special committees may be invited to attend Executive Board Meetings that pertain to their committee; however, such chairpersons shall not be voting members unless he or she is also a member of the Executive Board.

Section 2

The Executive Board shall have general charge and control of the affairs, funds, and properties of the Organization and shall maintain records of such in a central location, including current and prior budgets, check registers, governmental forms, committee reports, contracts and correspondence.

Section 3

The duties of the Executive Board as a whole shall be as follows:

  • to transact necessary business in the intervals between Organization meetings;
  • to approve chairpersons of standing committees and approve the plans of the standing committees;
  • to interpret the bylaws, policies, and standing rules of the Organization;
  • to present a report at the general membership (open) meetings of the Organization;
  • to prepare a budget for the upcoming fiscal year;
  • to approve routine bills within the limits of the budget;
  • to appoint the nominating committee;
  • to appoint a committee to review Bylaws as needed;
  • to make budget adjustments as necessary; andshall further include any all duties of the individual Executive Board Members as more fully set forth in Article VIII.

Section 4

The President of the Executive Board shall have the right to vote only in the case of a tie vote. All other members of the Executive Board, including the faculty representatives, shall each have one vote.

Section 5

Each standing committee chairperson shall present the committee's plans to the Executive Board. Any requests for expenditures necessary for such plans should be presented to the Executive Board for advance approval.

Section 6

Regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held during the school year, as stated in the Standing Rules. The time, place and regularity of such meetings are to be fixed by the Executive Board at its first meeting of the year.

Section 7

Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President, the Principal, or by a majority of the members of the Executive Board upon at least two days notice.

Section 8

All Executive Board members are required to attend Orientation and all scheduled Organization meetings and are encouraged to attend a majority of Organization-sponsored events.

Section 9

On or before the first board meeting of the year, each Executive Board member shall be assigned to serve as a liaison and shall provide assistance to the identified standing or special committee chairs.

Section 10

A majority of the members of the Executive Board must be present at the Executive Board meeting in order to conduct business. Unless otherwise provided herein, a simple majority of those present and voting shall be required for the passage of any motion, resolution, or other vote.

ARTICLE VII. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS AND THEIR ELECTION

Section 1

The officers of this Organization shall include those Executive Board Member listed in Article VI – Section 1, and at a minimum, shall consist of a President, Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Any of the Executive Board positions may be held by two persons so designated by the prefix "co-". If there are Co-Presidents, there shall be no First Vice President. The Slate of Executive Board Members shall be presented prior to the general membership meeting April of each year and these Executive Board members shall be elected annually by ballot at the general membership meeting April of each year by a majority vote of the membership present at that meeting. Ballots should be counted by the Secretary and the President. If there is but one candidate for any office, the election for such office(s) may be by voice, show of hands or slate approval.

Section 2

Executive Board Members, except for the Faculty Representatives, shall assume their official duties at the general membership meeting held in May of each year and shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected and installed. No person shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office unless determined by vote and majority approval of the Executive Board. Additional Executive Board member, including additional Faculty Representatives, will be chosen according to the needs of the Organization and upon the approval of the Executive Board.

Section 3

Nomination of Executive Board Officers shall be made by a nominating committee comprised of a representative from each feeder elementary school. The President (or Co-Presidents) shall select a chairperson, if necessary, for the nominating committee. Thenominating committee shall place in nomination at least one name for each office and present this slate via publication issued to the entire general membership at least one week prior to the April meeting.

Section 4

Spouses may be elected and hold any of the offices as a couple provided that such spouses were nominated as a couple.

Section 5

A vacancy occurring during the term of an Executive Board Officer shall be filled by a person nominated by the Nominating Committee and approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board at their next regular meeting.

Section 6

Any officer absent from three consecutive meetings, i.e. Executive Board and Organization meetings shall be deemed inactive unless absences are due to extenuating circumstances and the Executive Board receives notification of such. Any office having an inactive officer shall be declared vacant and shall be filled as provided herein. In addition, an officer failing to adequately participate or fulfill duties of the office may be subject to removal from office by decision of two-thirds of the Executive Board. Such officer is entitled to a written notification from the President or the Principal at least two weeks prior to the vote regarding removal.

ARTICLE VIII. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Section 1

The President (or Co-Presidents) shall be the chairperson of the Executive Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Organization. The President (or Co-Presidents) shall:

  • preside at all meetings of the Organization and of the Executive Board;
  • be an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee;
  • be authorized to appoint any special committee necessary to conduct the work required for the annual report;
  • maintain the right to table discussions or voting, at his/her discretion, for such reasons as new agenda items, time constraints, or items that require additional information;
  • work with the Secretary to prepare the agenda for each meeting;
  • be an authorized cosignatory for all accounts of the Organization;
  • work with the principal on designated duties and tasks;
  • attend District-wide meetings, such as the Presidents' Forum;
  • attend Rockwood Presidents' Forum Leadership Conference;
  • delegate the duties of any position that remains vacant;
  • approve all communications sent by the organization;
  • serve as a liaison with the Wildwood Middle School Administration and the Rockwood School District; and
  • create and maintain a current roster of all PTO Executive Board Officers and Committee Chairpersons, including names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses;
  • create and distribute the volunteer list to all committee chairs;
  • prepare any packets or folders for the Executive Board Officers or Committee Chairs;
  • perform all other duties usually pertaining to the office

Section 2

The Vice President(s) shall:

  • aide the President;
  • perform the duties of the resident in her absence;
  • oversee as a resource for specific committees (to be determined by the Executive Board;
  • perform the duties of the President in her absence

Section 3

The Secretary (or Secretaries) shall:

  • record the minutes of all meetings of the Organization and of the Executive Board;
  • be responsible for all incoming and outgoing correspondence for the Organization;
  • maintain a current membership list;
  • maintain a list of all committees, their chairpersons and members;
  • report on all relevant correspondence at each Executive Board meeting;
  • aid the President(s) in preparing the agenda for all meetings;
  • make copies of the minutes of the prior meeting available to all members of the Executive Board before each meeting;
  • publish the Organization newsletter (if any);
  • maintain school and district calendar and coordinate events accordingly; and
  • maintain a current copy of the Bylaws and Standing Rules, if any, as well as the records of all meeting minutes, a list of all committees and their members, and a list of the current members of the Organization.

Section 4

The Treasurer(s) shall:

  • receive all monies of the Organization;
  • keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures and disburse funds as budgeted or approved by the Executive Board;
  • be responsible for the maintenance of the bank account and records of the Organization;
  • be responsible for the filing of any necessary financial and tax forms with the appropriate governmental authorities;
  • be responsible for the maintenance of all financial records of the Organization;
  • comply with the statutory requirements and Rockwood School District Board of Education Policies and Regulations, including those provided in the Student Activity Funds Procedures Manual established by the Rockwood School District Board of Education;
  • present a statement of account at every meeting of the Organization and any other times as requested by the Executive Board; and
  • maintain a file of the budget reports presented at Organization meetings.

Section 5

All checks written for an amount in excess of $250.00 must contain two authorized signatures to be considered valid.

Section 6

All Executive Board Officers shall be bonded annually.

Section 7

All Executive Board Officers shall perform the duties outlined in these Bylaws and those assigned from time to time. Failure to assume these responsibilities may result in removal as provided herein.

Section 8

Upon the removal or resignation of any officer, such officer shall turn over to the President or Executive Board, without delay, all records, books, and other materials pertaining to the office, and shall return to the Treasurer or the Executive Board, without delay, all funds pertaining to the office. Furthermore, upon expiration of their terms, all Executive Board Officers shall deliver all official materials related to their office to their successors.

ARTICLE IX. STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1

Standing committees are committees with on-going functions that continue throughout the year. The chairperson of each committee shall serve for a one year term. The incoming President, with the approval of the incoming Executive Board, shall appoint chairpersons of the standing committees after the spring election.

Section 2

The chairpersons of all standing committees shall mutually plan activities with the Executive Board, and no committee work shall be undertaken without the approval of the Executive Board.

Section 3

The Executive Board may create special committees as needed to promote the purposes and interests of the Organization. Special committees are directly responsible to the Executive Board. The President, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint chairpersons of the special committees. Special committees shall be automatically dissolved upon completion of its assignment or upon decision by the Executive Board.

Section 4

An individual may serve unlimited terms as a committee chairperson, if appointed year to year.

ARTICLE X. FISCAL POLICY

Section 1

The Executive Board shall, at their summer meeting, prepare a budget, which shall be presented for approval at the first general membership (open) meeting of the academic year. Such approval, however, shall be contingent upon the organization meeting or exceeding the fundraising expectations set forth in the budget. The Budget shall contain any funds carried over from the previous year. The Board has authority to make budget adjustments during the year. The Board shall have no power to make the Organization liable for any debt(s) without a majority vote of the members.

Section 2

Each committee chairperson has access to the budgeted funds for his/her committee during the current school year only. These funds will be disbursed by the Treasurer provided the expense falls within the committee's budget and is substantiated by a purchase order or receipt in accordance with the procedures set forth by the Organization.

ARTICLE XI. MEETINGS/VOTING

Section 1

There shall be regular general membership (open) meetings of the Organization, scheduled prior to the beginning of the school year. A regular meeting schedule may be established in the Standing Rules of the Organization. Special meetings of the general membership may be called by the President, Principal or by a majority vote of the Executive Board, five days notice having been given. Members shall be notified no later than five days in advance of the date of any rescheduled general membership meeting.

Section 2

Voting shall be determined by a simple majority of members present, except when changing or amending the Organization's Bylaws or in the event of a removal of a member of the board, when a two-thirds majority vote of all members, whether present or not, must prevail.

ARTICLE XII. PARLIMENTARY PROCEDURE

Section 1

Robert's Rules of Order (current edition) shall govern this Organization in all cases to which they are applicable and not in conflict with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS

Section 1

These Bylaws may be amended at any membership meeting of the Organization by two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall be given at the previous general membership meeting.

Section 2

A committee may be appointed to review the Bylaws, as revised and amended, every two year(s). The committee shall draft any proposed amendments for presentation to the membership as provided for in Section 1 of this Article.

ARTICLE XIV. STANDING RULES

The Executive Board may maintain a list of Standing Rules to serve as a further operating guide for the Organization. These Standing Rules should be revised yearly to reflect the procedures of the current Executive Board.

Financial Procedures

  • Procedures for Volunteer Reimbursement: Volunteers who spend out of pocket will need to provide a copy of their receipt with a completed reimbursement form to the PTO Mailbox in the Workroom. Treasurers will mail a reimbursement check to the volunteer.
  • School Store volunteers should attend training and follow the procedures contained in the School Store Handbook.
  • The positions of co-treasurers will divide the responsibilities of the position to create a system of checks and balances. Treasurer 1 will handle bookkeeping, bank statements, managing receipts and provide budget and banking updates at meetings. Treasurer 2 will count and deposit cash, write checks (co-signed by a president preferably), and present requests to the board at executive meetings.
  • At the end of any school store shift or event involving cash, the cash box will be locked, with the key removed from the cash box. The box will be delivered to the secured room by both a volunteer and staff member. Deposits at the end of the day will be sealed in a plastic deposit bag and placed with the key into the safe.

    • PTO Grant Procedures

  • Team Fund Procedures: Budgeted funds are given to each team at the start of the school year. They are to use them in the way that they feel best supports their team goals and plans for the school year. No forms or grant requests need to be submitted for these yearly team start-up funds.
  • Educational Enhancement Grant Procedures: Staff can use the Grant Application form to apply for additional monies beyond their budgeted team funds. These grants requests will be reviewed on a schedule decided by the Executive Board prior to the start of the school year, and granted based on the rubric provided on the form and allowance of the general fund.
  • E3 Grant Procedures: E3 groups should complete an E3 Grant Request from PTO, with the maximum grant amount set by the budget committee prior to each school year. The line item should provide for grants of equal amounts for each E3 group. If the General Fund allows, E3 student groups can make a special application for additional grants. They are encouraged to present their grant request in person to the board.

    • Meeting Procedures

  • At least two general meetings will be scheduled each year in accordance with the bylaws: in the fall to approve budget and in the spring to approve the executive slate for the following year. Committee chairs are always welcome to attend meetings to discuss the details of their committees.
  • VPs will be assigned committee chairs to work with in the fall and are expected to contact them for updates before each executive meeting.

    • Sympathy Funds

  • If a student experiences the loss of a parent or sibling, PTO will provide a personal gift valued at no more than $100.
  • If a staff member experiences the loss of a spouse or child, the current board will consider an appropriate gift or donation of no more than $100.

    • *updated and approved October 2019